Why is scientific literacy a curriculum aim in science?

All young people - whether they seek to pursue science to advanced level or not - must study science until they are 16 as part of the national curriculum. Yet, even at a time when scientific issues like climate change, genetics and nuclear technology are so prominent in public debate, many students fail to value school science or see its significance to their lives.

Over recent years, fewer and fewer students have chosen to pursue physical sciences at advanced levels - even though the overall number of pupils taking A-levels has risen. Many senior scientists, universities and representatives of British industry have warned that this situation poses a significant risk to Britain's future as a centre of scientific excellence.

So Twenty First Century Science is designed to give all students a science education that is both accessible and valuable, while providing the potential scientists of the future with a stimulating and engaging introduction to the major science disciplines.

Is GCSE Science sufficient preparation for further study?

Many schools do GCSE Science in Year 10 and then GCSE Additional Science in Year 11, rather than doing the two courses concurrently.

GCSE Science plus GCSE Additional Science does prepare students to study for A-levels in science subjects.

An independent review of the Additional Science student book in the education journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry says: "Science explanations are developed to the point where students have sufficient grounding to take up advanced courses beyond GCSE. ... The authors ... have tackled awkward conceptual material head on, e.g bonding in chemistry, fields in physics and protein synthesis in biology."

The Twenty First Century Science courses feature important science explanations, and include 'Ideas about Science' which show how science works. In other words the course is not only about 'what we know' but also about 'how we know' and 'why knowing these things is important'. All A-level science courses now include 'How science works', so this will be good preparation.

Can students get Physics, Chemistry and Biology GCSEs?

Yes. Separate courses are available for the three sciences.

Students will complete the modules for GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science in each subject.

They will then study a Further Science module for each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These Further Science modules have been developed on the same principle as the other courses, that is they should have their own distinct purpose and flavour, and not be simply 'more of the same'.

Each subject uses contemporary contexts to explore new concepts, and to encourage students to draw together some of the ideas they have already developed.

What do schools have to say about Twenty First Century Science?

Are independent schools doing Twenty First Century Science?

Independent schools include St Paul's Girls' School. The High Mistress of St Paul's Girls' wrote a letter to The Times saying:

"As an academically selective school which annually sends almost half its leavers to read medicine and the sciences at the top universities, we [find] the approach challenging, rigorous and, above all, exciting. ... At a time when our contribution to science internationally and the take-up of the sciences at British universities is in serious decline, a course capable of igniting a passion for scientific inquiry in the brightest minds could not be more timely."

Is Twenty First Century Science improving the supply of future scientists?